Need a strong material for your heavy loads? Galvanized steel could be what you need. Here are the reasons why you should use it for your next project.
You’re tired of dealing with rust on your construction project, and you’re looking for materials that work to fight against rust and corrosion.
Perhaps you’re even thinking of building in a rainy climate, and you need to ensure that the metals you’re using can stand up to the elements.
Maybe you just need that can withstand heavy loads.
Whatever the reason, you’re considering using galvanized steel in your next project.
But what is galvanized steel, and what are some of the reasons why it’s likely a good fit for you?
Keep on reading this post to find out.
What Is Galvanized Steel?
Before we get into the benefits of using galvanized steel, let’s make sure you can answer the question, “What does galvanizing mean?”
In a nutshell, galvanizing is the process of coating standard steel in zinc, in order to prevent it from becoming rusted and corroded. In addition to steel, many companies also look to use galvanized iron in their projects.
The zinc actually rusts much faster than the base metal underneath it, so that the steel is protected. In some cases, galvanized steel may be made with what’s called chromate. This takes protection one step further and is useful in especially intense climates.
So, what does it take to understand how to tell if steel is galvanized?
It’s important to remember that zinc is not magnetic. So, in the most basic sense, if a magnet is able to stick to what you were told was galvanized steel, you’ve likely been sold a shoddy product.
If you really want to be certain, you can also rely on lab testing that will use techniques like electron paramagnetic resonance, which will determine the overall zinc content of your metal.
However, the best way to be certain that you’re getting galvanized steel is to buy it from a reputable dealer.
Read more about what to look for in the right company, as well as the different uses for galvanized steel, to determine if it’s really the right fit for your next project.
Now, let’s take a look at the benefits of working with galvanized steel.
1. It’s Made Quickly
You don’t want to turn down a lucrative, last-minute job just because the materials you need may take a long time to arrive.
If you decide to use galvanized steel, you won’t have to. This is because coating the steel in zinc and potentially chromate is a quick process.
In some cases, depending on the size of your order, the coating could even be applied to your materials the same day you place your order.
Plus, unlike other kinds of materials, you don’t need to wait for weather conditions to be right before you start building with it. Working with galvanized steel means that you’ll no longer be at the mercy of the weather when you’re planning a project schedule.
2. It’s Affordable
We know that you’re always interested in learning how you can keep costs down. If you’re building for someone else, they may have a strict budget — but will likely be unwilling to sacrifice on quality materials.
Galvanized steel is the solution you need.
Especially when compared with other sorts of treated steel or metal, it’s much more affordable.
Plus, it’s also incredibly low maintenance. This means that you won’t lose time on a project due to faulty materials. You also won’t have to worry about whether or not the quality of your work will hold up because you had to compromise on your raw materials.
Finally, using galvanized steel means that you won’t have to shell out nearly as much money as you would on replacing shoddy steel materials. In fact, experts say that you should expect for your galvanized steel to last for a minimum of around twenty years.
3. It’s Durable
Your has always made it a point to work with durable, high-quality materials that allow for flexibility in design and build.
Galvanized steel is incredibly strong because it actually offers total protection of the materials.
Some coating may only be able to cover a part of a beam. However, when you use galvanized materials, you’ll know that sharp corners, bearings, recesses, and every part of the surface is completely protected.
The steel is also strong enough to resist any potential hiccups and damages that could occur when it’s in transit. This way, you won’t have to worry about opening your shipment, only to find that the materials have already been chipped or cracked.
It’s also easy to install, and you won’t need to touch it up as you might with other kinds of material coatings.
Are You Ready to Use Galvanized Steel in Your Next Project?
We hope that this post has helped you to learn not just how to tell if steel is galvanized and what it is, but also why it’s a material you should consider working with.
It’s durable, can be used within a variety of projects, and most of all, it’s an affordable solution.
We know that both your construction company and the clients you’re working for will be satisfied with your decision to make galvanized steel the main material of your next project.
Of course, the materials aren’t the only things you’ll need to consider.
You also need to learn how to draw up a proper , understand the building codes and laws in your city, and more.
Whether you need reliable construction documents or just advice about how to increase your business’s profitability, keep coming back to our blog for more invaluable advice.
